With 3 days at Cardrona, the best family learner's field in the region, you'll go from zero to hero in no time. And 7 days in Wanaka township in a central motel.
This tour can be priced with any of the rental cars available in our fantastic range, from economy hatchbacks to prestige saloons and SUV's.
Leaving Queenstown you head over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Wanaka.
Welcome to Wanaka for your winter ski or snowboarding holiday. It’s not just the skiing that makes Wanaka a fantastic winter destination, there’s also the spectacular scenery, amazing adventures, and endless activities to keep you entertained when you’re not on the slopes. After each action-packed day, you’ll also find a superb variety of cafes and restaurants to relax and refuel at.
Today we recommend you visit the Cardrona x Treble Cone Wanaka Office (located at 50 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka) and collect your lift pass. This will save you heaps of time tomorrow as you’ll avoid the morning queues and can head straight to the mountain with more time to ski and ride.
When you visit the Cardrona x Treble Cone Wanaka Office please take your Ski New Zealand itinerary with you as the staff will need the reference number off this. Each person in your group receives their own card and must collect their own card as your photo will be taken at the time of issue. Any booked items, such as lift passes, rental equipment, or lessons will be loaded onto your card.
Your accommodation: Clearbrook Motel and Serviced Apartments
Clearbrook offers luxury apartment style and townhouse accommodation options and is located just metres from Wanaka's main street and its majestic lake front.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 60 kms / 37 miles : 0.9 hours
Cardrona is perfect for first timer skiers and boarders with easy learner lift and wide open beginner trails with beautiful views. Package includes rental of ski or snowboard equipment, learner's area ski lift pass, two group lessons with a professional instructor. Your 2 hour morning lesson teaches the basics, including how to master sliding, stopping and turning safely and effectively on gentle slopes. The 2 hour afternoon lesson is to further develop your skills and to support you as you explore more terrain.
If you have skied or snowboarded for more than one day and can 'stop and change direction', then this package is for you. You'll have access to the entire mountain with an all mountain lift pass, the benefit of a 2 hour group lesson and rental equipment. This package is coordinated to build a solid foundation so that you can make progress quickly. And rest assured you'll quickly remember the movements even if you only ever skied once, many years ago.
Make life simpler and hire your clothing for Cardrona or Treble Cone ski field up on the mountain. Cardrona and Treble Cone have a huge range of the latest ski and snowboard gear for a great day out. Hire up the mountain and have the option of dropping off in Wanaka or Queenstown at the end of your ski holiday.
The alpine village of Wanaka sits on the shores of the third largest lake in the Queenstown Lakes District and is surrounded by the southern alps. Wanaka draws those seeking adventure, spectacular scenery and a relaxed atmosphere.
During winter the town's population more than triples as snow sports enthusiasts flock to the local ski fields of Treble Cone and Cardrona. Known as the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park, Wanaka is a walker's paradise of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. For those seeking an adrenaline rush try skydiving, rock-climbing, jet boating or choose a scenic flight over Wanaka in a historic Tiger Moth aeroplane.
Puzzling World is a world unique attraction specialising in puzzling eccentricity. For over 35 years this remarkable business has entertained and amazed visitors of all ages. Offering the world's first "modern-styled" Great Maze, incredible Illusion Rooms, a Puzzle Centre/Cafe and eccentric architecture and oddities. Each remarkable illusion room is an illusion in its own right. On entering you pass through the Hologram Hall. As there is nothing quite like this in the world we can only assure you that you will find the collection of amazing 3-D holograms fascinating! Carry on into the Ames Forced Perspective Room. The technique of this illusion was used in The Lord of the Rings film to create tall people and little people. Move on into the Hall of Following Faces illusion room where 168 giant models of famous faces seem to turn and follow you around the room. This illusion room offers visitors a world unique encounter of being followed left and right, up and down by some very illustrious company. The newest room, the Sculptillusion Room is themed around an illusionary sculpture garden, the gallery invites visitors to wander around the various larger-than-life exhibits that showcase visual trickery at its best. Featuring over 20 large sculptures, artworks and displays the building itself offers illusionary aspects within its design. From Living Walls, wave ceilings, stone carpet and hanging waterfalls the visitor is met with stunning creations from some of NZ's finest artists. All of this is located in the heart of the breathtaking Southern Lakes region of the South Island of New Zealand, set amongst 7 acres of rolling lawns, trees and gardens.
Lift and Rental packages include a full mountain day pass and skis/boots/poles or snowboard/boots. This can be used at either Cardrona or Treble Cone ski field.
Make life simpler and hire your clothing for Cardrona or Treble Cone ski field up on the mountain. Cardrona and Treble Cone have a huge range of the latest ski and snowboard gear for a great day out. Hire up the mountain and have the option of dropping off in Wanaka or Queenstown at the end of your ski holiday.
Lying close to the centre of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and used to be a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that once plied the lake. Accessible from Wanaka by a 35-minute boat cruise, the landing is on the eastern side of the island where the remnants of the early settlement remain; a stone wharf and a hut. A well-formed track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Just before the top, we see Arethusa Pool, a small lake on the island with small islands in it - very intriguing! From the top, we have a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its surrounding mountains and valleys, and below Arethusa Pool. The perfect spot to stop for tea or coffee. Going back down the track gives us more time to take in our surroundings, listening to and watching the lively bird-life, and just enjoying this unique wildlife reserve. You will feel well rewarded as you re-join the boat for the cruise back to Wanaka. Total cruise time is 1.5 hours. The trip runs subject to weather and lake conditions. Depending on the planting season, you can help The Reforestation of Mou Waho by planting a tree.
Experience the rugged beauty and solitude of the spectacular high country, bordering a World Heritage Area with this exclusive 4WD journey exploring the private farm tracks on an historic Wanaka sheep, cattle and deer station. From the site of Nehenehe, an ancient Maori settlement abandoned in the 1830’s, to the ruins of one of Wanaka’s first European settler’s farmhouses (1880’s). This journey offers an unique insight into Wanaka’s rich history, heritage and modern-day farming life. This trip is a photographers dream.
Leaving Wanaka you head over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Queenstown.
Depending on when your flight departs you might have time for one last Queenstown adventure before dropping your car off at the airport and catching your flight.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 65 kms / 41 miles : 1.1 hours